Nicholas Rigg, editor of the Vital Football Sheffield Wednesday site gives his background of his team ahead of Tomorrow’s clash at Hillsborough
Q & A
1. Do you think you can avoid relegation?
We’re one player short of a decent team – a central midfielder. So long as we get someone in to cover this area we’ll be fine. Don’t like the rumours linking us with David Friio and Scot Gemmill though – was hoping someone like Andy Johnson from WBA or Kevin Horlock who’s been told he can leave Ipswich. Thankfully we’ve strengthened our attack and Steve Maclean and JP McGovern are back this week – our two best players and they haven’t played all season!
2. What has been the key differences between last season and this season?
Quality is obviously an issue – although I believe any team can beat anyone in this division – maybe Reading and the Blunts are slightly ahead, but apart from that there’s not much. May sound like a bad excuse but we’ve had shocking injuries to deal with, which are thankfully getting better. Top scorer Steve Maclean has not played yet this season, neither has player of the season JP McGovern.
3. Have you signed anyone in the transfer window?
We signed Deon Burton and Marcus Tudgay earlier in the transfer window and they look promising – one of them will partner Maclean when he’s back but not sure who. We’ve also signed Peter Gilbert, a left-back from Leicester City who’s looked decent. We just need a central midfielder now to complete the jogsaw, and then rebuild in the summer- hopefully for the Championship!
4. Who are your danger men?
Has to be Chris Brunt – who’s reportedly attracted the attention of Manchester City along the way. He was hit and miss last season, but he’s come on leaps and bounds in this division and is currently our top scorer from midfield. Has an awesome left-foot, so don’t give any free-kicks away at the edge of your box! Will be in the Premiership someday, but he’s still only young. I’d add Steve Maclean and JP McGovern to that list, but they’re not fully fit yet!
5. If you could take one player from the Luton team to the Wednesday team who would it be and why?
Have to say Steve Howard. We were after him a while back and I didn’t know much about him – now I wish we’d have snapped him up! Earlier in the season we were desperately lacking goals, and Howard would have definately made up a few points for us. Bound to score tomorrow!
6. If you could offload one player from Wednesday to Luton who would it be and why?
Thankfully we’ve already offloaded a lot of our poorer players to lighten the wage load – players like Lee Peacock, Paul Heckingbottom, and Graeme Lee – who didn’t seem like cutting it at this level. David Graham is still on our books but is on-loan to Huddersfield. Although he scored for them at the weekend he’s never even looked like having a shot for us in the past few months – so him!
7. What’s your most memorable Wednesday Vs Luton match?
Unfortunately I’m not old enough to remember our meetings in the top flight – so I’d have to say the 2-2 at your place this season. We did well to get a draw when you were flying high. In fact, they’ve all been draws that I can remember!
8. What do you think the score will be?
I’ll go for a draw. 1-1!
Scotty’s replies to Nick
1. You seem to have lost a bit of ground on the top 6 – do you think you can still get a play-off spot?
Doubftful. I don’t think we are ready for another punt at the Premiership either. Most supporters would have accepted a mid table finish avoiding relegation worries and consolidating for a push in the next couple of years.
2. What have been the key differences to last season’s success and this seasons?
As you will know all too well, there are some much better players in the CCC and mistakes are punished with more regularity than in League 1.
3. What do you make of Mike Newell’s bung claims?
It’s not rocket science and I am surprised that there has been such furore over his comments. It’s like the nursery story of the King with no clothes. Everyone knows it is true but Newell seems to have been the one to actually say that the King has no clothes on!
4. Have you signed anyone in the transfer window – or have you heard any rumours?
Signed David Bell fro Rushden, looks one for the future. Plenty of rumours around. Newell madebids for 4 or 5 players including a bid for £500K which is fantasy money for Luton to spend! The persistent rumours are that it was for Neil Danns of Colchester who would be mad to sell him if they really hols any aspirations for promotion, and Adam Boyd of Hartlepool. ‘Pool manager denies all knowledge but if I were a betting man I’d say that there is a good chance for Adam Boyd.
5. Who are your danger men?
All of them on their day. Goals come from all over the park. Obviously Steve Howard had been out of form, but recently returned to good form. Brkovic has lost form but watch out mostly for Carlos Edwards. Give him a yard of space and he’ll be gone and the ball in the box for Howard.
6. If you could take one player from the Wednesday team to the Luton team who would it be and why?
Graham Coughlan – he has always been a thorn in out side and we need a solid central defender as we have no cover there. He is dependable consistent and scores some great goals.
7. If you could send one player from Luton to Wednesday who would it be and why?
Paul Hughes. he’s been out through illness and injury for nearly two years!
8. What’s your most memorable Wednesday Vs Luton match?
10 Oct 1970 Weds 1 Luton 5. Was a shock result and Luton played the Owls off the park.
9. How do you think Wednesday will do this season?
They will be fine. I expect them to rally round and put a bit of a run together hopefully starting on Feb 1st!
10. Finally, what do you think the score will be?
Owls 1 – 1 Hatters
